KOWAL: DECISION WAS TOUGHEST SHE HAS MADE

Art Johnson lived by the book at Spanish River High School. It was a 50-page book on class behavior, dress code, tardiness and absenteeism. And the bullhorn was one of his favorite tools of law and order.

"You've got 30 seconds," Johnson would blare to students straggling to class. And for his no-nonsense ways, he was widely admired during his 10 years at the Boca Raton high school of 3,000 students.

But on Wednesday, those who came in contact with the educator, 52, were astonished to learn that he was being forced to retire, subject to School Board approval.

Documents released by the School Board on Wednesday suggest Johnson turned a blind eye to an in-school suspension class where drawings were posted that were deemed to be glorifying of violence, demeaning to women, and possibly racist.

"He loved Spanish River," said Lorraine Testani, a former school advisory board member who had two children graduate under Johnson, including his final class in 1996. "I think he's [probably) totally crushed."

Johnson had no comment, said his attorney, Carey Haughwout.

"This incident is not the only reason he decided to retire. He has been considering retirement for some time," Haughwout said. "Was he a scapegoat? Was he wrongly fired? He has not commented, nor will he."

Johnson obtained his doctorate degree in education from Florida State University in 1968 and started teaching in Sarasota.

He came to Palm Beach County in 1983, when he became principal of Boca Raton High School. In 1986, he moved across town to become principal at Spanish River High, at Yamato and Jog roads.

During the years, he was widely admired in the community, even by those who had no children at the school. Teachers said Johnson was tireless on campus and made everyone feel involved and important, from parents to students to fellow educators.

"He was truly involved. He knew almost every kid on campus," said Carolann Brockman, a math and science teacher who worked with Johnson for five years. On two occasions at Spanish River, Johnson submitted his name to be considered superintendent of the school system. The School Board chose others, first Monica Uhlhorn and, most recently, Joan Kowal.

Kowal said the decision to end Johnson's career in Palm Beach County was the toughest she has ever made.

The School Board is scheduled on July 30 to take up the settlement agreement under which he would retire.